Fusobacterium ulcerans. From tropical ulcers to gut commensal and bacterial translocation?

The genusFusobacterium contains currently 13 species presenting as non-spore-forming, obligate anaerobic, gram-negative fusiform rods. Fusobacterium ulcerans was discovered in 1988 causing tropical ulcers. We present the case of a patient with diverticulitis complicated with bacteremia. Both aerobic bottles were positive at 20 and 24 h, while one anaerobic bottle was positive at 36 h. Escherichia coli and Fusobacterium ulcerans were identified from subcultures by MALDI-TOF MS with a score of 2.02 and 2.35, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene was sequenced in order to confirm the identification of F. ulcerans with a 100% homology to the reference strain. The patient was treated with 4 g/0,5 g of IV piperacillin/tazobactam and later with 1 g/0,2 g of amoxicillin/clavulanic during 7 days with good clinical evolution.

Is Bacteroides finegoldii a new bacterial pathogen?

Bacteoides finegoldii is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped and obligate anaerobic bacteria isolated in human feces during studies of intestinal microbiota. We present a case report in which B. finegoldii was isolated and identified from the blood culture of a 93-year-old patient with abdominal pain. Microbiological identification was performed by MALDI-TOF MS and confirmed later by 16S rRNA sequencing. An abdomino-pelvic CT scan was conducted, showing a mass of neoplastic appearance that infiltrated the sigmoid colon and bladder, probably producing a colo-vesical fistula. Up to now, this is the first report of B. finegoldii causing human infection.